
Welcome to Daily Musings! First, some context. While the word “daily” might leave some of you expecting a new entry every day, this will not be the case. The reason for using this word has more to do with the fact that I tend to “muse” about one topic or another (sometimes more than one) on a daily basis, but that does not necessarily translate to writing about these musings on a daily basis. I feel so much better getting that off my chest! Unlike my Spinning Tales blog, which is dedicated to stories, essays, humor, etc., the entries on this blog will be shorter and focused on memorable events and things that, on a daily basis, make me (us?) scratch our heads and say: What? Some of the entries might even evoke a slightly stronger response with a deeper head scratching ending in the loud exclamation: WTF?
Vocabulary.com states: “Use the adjective musing to describe something that’s reflective or thoughtful, like a musing diary entry that explores the meaning of life.” While at this point in time I may have given up on exploring the “meaning of life,” I was intrigued by their use of “musing diary entry.” It got me thinking about how a diary is different than a blog. I feel that many, but not all, blogs are for some the electronic version of a diary; a place where people can articulate, pontificate, verbally masturbate, educate, elucidate, vent, rant and, as I appear to have run out of “ate” words, spill their guts. For me, what makes a diary different than a blog is the audience. Diaries are normally intended to be read by the author and no one else. Unless, of course, you reach a level of fame, your diaries are discovered fifty years after your demise in an abandoned mine shaft, and made into a six episode TV mini series, with a title like: “John Doe: The Untold Story!” A blog, on the other hand, is meant to be shared. While a blog can be private, or shared with only a small select audience, most blogs are just “out there” and read by a great number of people many of whom are unknown to the author.
So, sit back, grab your libation of choice, and enjoy the ride. Feel free to leave a comment, and if you want to be kept in the loop when I post new entries, please subscribe at the bottom of the page and you will receive an email whenever I do. I promise that I will not sell your email addresses. The last thing you need is another solicitation about your expiring car warranty!
Excuse Me, Do You Know What time It Is?
The other night I was running an errand in downtown Los Angeles and on my way home, just northeast of the downtown core of the city, I passed an area heavily populated with sidewalk tents of the homeless. Now, this is not new to me as I have been living in the area for the … Continue reading Excuse Me, Do You Know What time It Is?
Pet Peeves
I am pretty sure that the title alone is enough to elicit an audible groan from many of you and a hurried search for pen and paper. You’re not alone! Everyone has pet peeves, some more than others. When I sat down to write this, I wondered whether or not as one ages the number … Continue reading Pet Peeves
Musical Memories
“If music be the food of love, play on,” says Duke Orsinio in his opening line of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. And who can argue with that! Music is a very important part of my life, as I am sure it is for many people. While I do enjoy music as a background to whatever I … Continue reading Musical Memories
How Old are You!?
Have you ever met someone new and during the course of a conversation the topic of age comes up, you tell this new person your age and you get the following response: “Wait, you’re how old?” This phrase is usually accompanied by a bewildered look, or one of shock and surprise. Well, I am at … Continue reading How Old are You!?
W.W.D.T?
I was thinking about my mother the other day, in particular the day she told me that she no longer read the newspaper or watched the news on television because it was too depressing. I recall that she was in her early seventies when she said this to me, around the same age as I … Continue reading W.W.D.T?
Olympic Fever
Just in case you’ve been living under a rock, or disconnected from the world of media, the Olympics are in full swing in Beijing, China. As someone who has skied and played hockey for most of my life, I do enjoy watching some of the action, although it is sporadic and not all-consuming, as it … Continue reading Olympic Fever
The card game dilemma
The impact and repercussions of Donald Trump’s (D.T.) presidency on this country and the world continue to unfold, and it will be quite some time before we know the full extent of what really happened, if in fact we ever will. I certainly do not want to add any more to what is already out … Continue reading The card game dilemma
“I’m Sorry, what did you say?”
I have a long standing interest in language, especially the origins of words and remember, quite proudly, when I got my first etymological dictionary. Language of course, like just about everything, evolves over time. Words are continually added to our lexicon just as many words fall out of usage and disappear. For example, think about … Continue reading “I’m Sorry, what did you say?”
The Holy Trinity. . .Revised!
No, I haven’t found religion, far from it, but I am curious by nature so here goes. In general, I tend not to think of myself as religious, superstitious, spiritual, etc., etc., as these are labels, and as such to be avoided at all costs. Unless, of course, you need to know the care instructions … Continue reading The Holy Trinity. . .Revised!
Bridge Obsession
I apologize in advance if you were expecting to read something about the card game. Although I do play bridge, it has been years since I last played so one could hardly call it an obsession. Second clue: The picture! So, you might be asking yourself how does one become obsessed with a bridge? It’s … Continue reading Bridge Obsession
quid pro quo
Just about everyone is familiar with this phrase, or it’s more colloquial cousin: “I’ll scratch your back, if you scratch mine.” The dictionary defines quid pro quo as “something that is given to you or done for you in return for something you have given to or done for someone else,” or, “I’ll scratch your … Continue reading quid pro quo
The Pain Index
Have you ever gone to see a doctor about some part of your body that is in pain? Did they ever ask you: “On a scale between one and ten, how much pain are you in?” Or, better yet, have they shown you the graphic pain index chart like the one below? As someone who … Continue reading The Pain Index